A taste of charity draws people from across county

Folks from across the county were able to get a taste of some of the local restaurants and businesses during the 10th Annual Taste of Steele fundraiser held last Thursday evening at the Eagles Club in Owatonna.
The fundraiser is put on by the American Association of University Women’s Owatonna branch and goes to help pay for scholarships given to local women and girls. “It’s a good cause because it’s for all the scholarships that we’re giving out,” AAUW member and co-chair for this year’s event Kay Oberle said.
“We like all of our vendors, they donate the food so that’s really appreciated,” Oberle added. “All these people came and so that’s also really great, and it’s nice to have money to give out scholarships. People are taking a taste and that’s fun.”
The event featured food form 11 businesses throughout the county. This year’s lineup consisted of: Costa’s, El Tequila Mexican Restaurant, Fareway Foods, Mizuki Fusion, Nick’s Pizza, Old Town Bagels & Café, Owatonna Eagle’s, Owatonna Elk’s, Spare Time Entertainment, The Bakery, and Torey’s Restaurant & Bar.
“It’s nice because people get a chance to try all this great food, like Mizuki Fusion, and the Bakery in Blooming Prairie,” Oberle said. Mizuki Fusion was one of the unique draws at this year’s event, offering authentic Japanese food.
It’s a fun event which brings the community together. “The community is very giving, and the stores bring food for 275 people and that’s a lot of food that they give,” Oberle said. “We really appreciate.”
Torey Statlander, who owns Torey’s Restaurant in Owatonna was more than happy to give back and provide some good food for the community. “I think it’s great when you have a bunch of people coming together to support a cause, you see all different age groups,” Statlander said. “It’s just a good cause for the community and an opportunity for people to enjoy all the restaurants and see what we have to offer.”
“It’s always great to be out with the community and get to showcase some of the stuff that we’ve got at our store,” Brian Speas of Fareway Foods said of the event. “We’ve got a little bit of everything, some soups and fruit, it’s good to be able to showcase it and be out here.”
Another vendor that’s always a big draw at the event is El Tequila Mexican Restaurant in Owatonna. “We’ve been doing this every year and feel that it is the best thing to do to give something back to the community,” El Tequila owner Enrique Avalos said. “We’ve been here in Steele County for 20 years, so it’s our way to give something back.”
For Avalos giving back is a family affair. His son A.J. was there to help out and greet the community. “It’s his fourth year, he comes, helps, and does a good job,” Avalos said with a smile.
With great weather on a beautiful Minnesota autumn evening the community was able to come together and give back while getting a taste of Steele County.